PETER SHILTON has urged England’s next goalkeeping generation to step up to the plate and put pressure on current No1 David James and stake a genuine World Cup claim.

And he has suggested that Manchester United’s highly-rated reserve keeper Ben Foster – in the England squad for this weekend’s friendly against Slovakia and next week’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine – might have to go out on loan to further his international claims.

Shilton is England’s most capped player, figuring in 125 internationals. Portsmouth’s James, 38, was at one time nicknamed ‘Calamity’ due to some high-profile errors, and Shilton said: “Goalkeepers only get remembered for mistakes, especially in internationals.

“You want consistency from an international goalkeeper and then brilliance on top of that.

“Every international keeper will make mistakes but the best ones make fewer. I felt with Paul Robinson and with David James that’s why they both lost the spot when they had it. They made mistakes in one or two games on the trot. James in particular had moments of madness.

“That’s why I hope there will be a challenge from the likes of Foster, Rob Green at West Ham who is maturing, and even Chris Kirkland at Wigan. I would like

to see a young goalkeeper put pressure on the No1 spot and say, ‘I’m the England goalkeeper and this is my position’.

Shilton, speaking at an event organised by England team sponsors Nationwide Building Society, added: “I wouldn’t advise Foster to leave Manchester United permanently because it’s a great club.

"For his long-term future, being United’s goalkeeper would be great for his career.

“But, for England, you would want him to try to be playing regular Premier League football, certainly next season. Even if it’s on loan. You would want him to be playing on a regular basis leading into a World Cup year.”